P

rosecutors demanded five years’ imprisonment for former Siak regent Arwin A.S. on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in the issuance of forestry-concession licenses.

Prosecutor Moehammad Roem of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) told the court in Pekanbaru that Arwin had violated Article 2 (1) and Article 18 of the Law on Corruption Eradication as well as Article 55 and 65 of the Criminal Code.

The prosecutors also demanded that Arwin pay Rp 885 million and US$2,000 in compensation for the state losses. “If he fails to pay within a month, his fortune should be seized and if it does not cover the loss then he should serve another year in prison in lieu of the compensation,” Roem said.

Arwin is accused of misusing his authority in issuing the licenses for five companies namely; PT Bina Daya Bintara (for an 8,000 hectare concession), PT Seraya Sumber Lestari (16,875 hectares), PT Balai Kayang Mandiri (21,450 hectares), PT Rimba Mandau Lestari (6,400 hectares) and PT National Timber And Forest Product (8,200 hectares).

The licenses he had issued, according to the KPK prosecutors, caused a combined loss to the state of over Rp 300 billion.

Arwin, accompanied by his lawyers Jhoni Irwan and Zulkifli Nasution, did not respond immediately to the charges. They said they would reply to the prosecution next week.

During previous trial sessions, Arwin, who held the top position at the Siak regency administration for two consecutive periods, admitted to having issued the licenses to the five companies in 2005.

He insisted that the licenses were issued according to the proper procedures but they did not automatically permit the companies to conduct logging in the forest.

“According to the Riau provincial forestry agency, I could issue a license after taking into consideration technical matters. I did that,” Arwin said.

He also denied allegations that he had received Rp 400 million in commission from the five companies.

“The testimony given by witness Agus Syamsir who claimed to have handed over the money from the five companies to me is not true,” he told the court.